26Feb 2023 by Sarah Glenn

Cooking with Breastmilk

Breastfeeding, Health, Infants, Kids, Parenting, Toddlers
Cooking with breastmilk doesn't require a degree in culinary. Don't let the term "breastmilk" throw you off your cooking game when considering how to use it. You could simply use what is leftover in the freezer or pump fresh for a specific recipe. There is no trip to the store required. The most straightforward way to use your milk would be by replacing the milk in any recipe -nut or otherwise-with your breastmilk. Do not throw away your remaining milk from the freezer. Get creative! The World Health Organization recommends breastfeeding for a minimum of 2 years. While the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends breastfeeding for at least 1 year with both arguments that it is a preferential decision and no expiration of health benefits. Just to reiterate, the healthy milk you are successfully making, feeding,…
Read More
04Feb 2023 by Sarah Glenn

Breast Pain

Breastfeeding, Health, Infants, Pregnancy
When breast pain doesn't go away it can leave a mother to feel defeated and distraught. Especially for those that felt breastfeeding was going well and her achy breast was not much of anything to worry about. Clearly, having a plan to resolve the issues quickly can bring peace back to the symbiotic relationship. Breastfeeding is an intricate exchange between a mother and her child. The mother relies on her offspring to take the milk from the breast while the child expects to find a quality bounty while suckling. Now and again the communication between the breast and infant goes awry for one reason or another and a "back-up" in the breast occurs. A firmness that makes the mom feel full and uncomfortable can become rather troublesome. Despite all the…
Read More
08Apr 2020 by Sarah Glenn

Third Trimester Planning

Breastfeeding, Health, Infants, Life, Parenting, Pregnancy, Relationships
Third-trimester planning takes the pressure off when you are busy learning your new role- MOM! It's not essential for you to do everything on the list before the baby, but it can improve your recovery from birth. You will become an awesome mother whether you're prepared or not; after all, babies don't require much more than diapers, clothes, breasts, and shelter. It'll be ok! To-Do List Employer conversation: Know the federal, state, and office policies on FMLA-pregnancy-maternity leave and the pumping at work laws before you broach the subject with your boss. Be well versed in your rights and start that conversation now about your plans to return even if you're not sure or think you may not go back. Get a tentative return to work date agreed upon and…
Read More
29Jan 2020 by Sarah Glenn

Milk Coming In

Breastfeeding, Health, Infants, Parenting, Pregnancy
Milk-coming-in is part of the changes you experience after the delivery of your progeny. Your body has been making all the necessary preparations since egg and sperm met. Possibly you've even seen a discharge from the nipple occasionally during pregnancy. Remember you've spent 40 weeks creating life and now you need to sustain that life. At first, women worry whether milk will come in but after a few days, they realize how bountiful their yield is. Engorgement is when the breast tissue overfills with milk, blood, and other fluids. It may cause your breasts to feel very full, to become hard and painful, and your nipples to flatten and tighten. Engorgement is a temporary stage to the milk-coming-in part of breastfeeding. Milk-coming-in is part of the changes you experience after…
Read More
10Jan 2020 by Sarah Glenn

Quick Tips to Help with Painful Nipples

Breastfeeding, Infants, Parenting, Pregnancy
These quick tips to help with painful nipples can be used in conjunction with or without lactation support. There is no shame in asking for help. Many times we just need someone to tell us we are doing everything right. Please seek the advice of your healthcare practitioner if you are not healing or feeling secure in your feeding. Hopefully, you’ve already asked and answered the questions relevant to understanding pain issues and breastfeeding. You may find you need to get professional help, but in the meantime, you could try a few tips below. The suggestions listed can aid in the healing process of sore nipples. Always check for proper latch first. Change positions.Check for proper fit of your pumping kit/flanges (look on the website of brand you own).Stay topless as much…
Read More
09Jan 2020 by Sarah Glenn
How to Keep Breastfeeding Comfortable

How to Keep Breastfeeding Comfortable

Breastfeeding, Health, Infants
To master how to keep breastfeeding comfortable can take time and patience but feeling pain shouldn't be part of the equation. It's hard to know what breastfeeding should feel like if it's your first time. You've probably heard women tell stories of nipple and or breast pain at one time or another. Maybe you've witnessed someone wincing or crying out while feeding. Or perhaps you have experienced this yourself. Some women think suffering is part of the natural process of being a successful breastfeeding mother. What no one tells you is that breastfeeding should not be painful. Sure, you've never done this, and you may feel "tender" for the first week or two, but that's it. Typically, in the first minute of the feeding. A strong tugging and pulling sensation is appropriate.…
Read More